BREACH OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES – W PENNY – GUARD - MERSEYRAIL

Our Ref BR2/4/4

30th August 2017

Dear Colleagues,

BALLOT PAPERS GO OUT TODAY!

BREACH OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES – W PENNY – GUARD - MERSEYRAIL

I write to advise you that the voting papers are being sent out today to all Drivers and Guards at Kirkdale in our ballot to defend RMT rep Will Penny. Brother Penny has been sacked by Merseyrail on what we believe to be trumped up charges. He has been accused of breaching the Bullying and Harassment Procedure and the Social Media policy, but completely refutes that he has done anything wrong.

Brother Penny is a highly active RMT representative who has been front and central in our ongoing campaign to stop Driver Only Operation on Merseyrail. There is little doubt that his work for RMT members has made him a target for management and do not believe that his dismissal is any sort of coincidence.

Merseyrail cannot be allowed to treat our reps in such an appalling manner so it is vital members vote overwhelmingly in favour of action. With the recent Trade Union Act making the Anti-Trade union laws even worse, it has never been harder to conduct a lawful ballot. New thresholds for turnouts mean a big vote is essential so I strongly urge all Drivers and Guards at Kirkdale to support Will Penny and vote Yes for Strike Action and Yes for Action short of a strike!

Please return your voting paper by Tuesday 19th September 2017.

If you have not received a ballot paper by Monday 4th September 2017, then please contact the RMT Freephone Helpline urgently on 0800 376 3706, by email at info@rmt.org.uk, or the RMT Switch board on 020 7387 4771 and ask for the industrial relations department, where a replacement ballot paper will be sent to you by first class post. Additionally, if you are aware of a colleague who has not received their ballot paper, ask them to call on one of the above numbers to update their details to receive a replacement ballot paper.